We urge you to vote “yes” on both Marysville School District levies Feb. 13.

The two levies amount to $3.64 per $1,000 valuation, or 41 cents per $1,000 valuation less than you pay now.

That’s right – less. That’s not a misprint. The bigger one is the four-year Educational Programs and Operations Levy, which used to be called M&O. That levy ensures students have enough teachers and aides, nurses, counselors, librarians and support staff, including for special needs students.

It also provides money for extra-curricular programs, such as sports, music and the arts – which are so important in developing well-rounded students.

The cost per $1,000 valuation is $2.97, which is 70 cents less per $1,000 than what you pay now.

Voters in the MSD also are being asked to approve a four-year Technology and Capital Projects Levy.

Parents of students demanded access to technology so four years ago voters passed a technology levy. As a result, students in grades 6 through 12 are provided Chromebooks for use at home and at school. Students from kindergarten through grade 5 also have Chromebooks available to them, and many are even learning code.

An important addition to the technology levy that we whole-heartedly support is for Capital Projects. Just like us, our school buildings aren’t getting any younger. They need maintenance yet there is no stable funding set up for that.

Now there is. Voters made it loud and clear when a school bond was floated some time ago that they want the district to do a better job of maintaining the buildings we have. This part of the levy does that.

The money will pay for roof and gutter replacements, fire system upgrades, door and hardware replacements, boiler replacements and heating improvements, floor replacements, electrical retrofits such as lighting, outlets, and intercoms, and siding replacements.

That four-year levy is projected to cost 67 cents per $1,000 valuation.

Education is so important to society. Vote yes on the Marysville school levies.